Migration Overseas
The National Innovation visa (NIV) is Australia's permanent visa for people with an exceptional and outstanding record of achievement. It is by invitation only: you submit an expression of interest (EOI), and Home Affairs holds invitation rounds each month. It replaces the closed Global Talent visa, and the Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP), including the 188, has been closed since 31 July 2024. Details are from Home Affairs as at 6 November 2026.
Home Affairs invites candidates in four priority levels. Counts below are for July to September 2026.
Priority 1 is for global experts who are recipients of international top of field awards. Priority 2 is for candidates nominated on an approved Form 1000 by an expert Australian, State or Territory Government agency.
Candidates with exceptional and outstanding achievements in Critical technologies, Renewables and low emission technologies, or Health industries. Sector counts below cover all priorities.
Candidates with exceptional and outstanding achievements in Agri-food and AgTech, Defence Capabilities and Space, Education, Financial Services and FinTech, Infrastructure and Transport, or Resources.
Key eligibility criteria for the National Innovation visa.
Home Affairs lists these examples of evidence, which are not limited to the items below.
You must show that your achievements place you among the best in your area of expertise, and that you are still prominent. The items below are examples, and Home Affairs says the list is not exhaustive.
Step-by-step guide to the National Innovation visa.
Compare your achievements and sector against the four invitation priorities. Priorities 1 and 2 are open to any sector, and Priorities 3 and 4 depend on the sector.
Before the EOIFind a nominator with a national reputation in your area. Agency nominators complete Part A of Form 1000 and give a supporting statement at EOI stage.
VariesAttach your passport bio page, CV and evidence of your highest qualification. Your EOI stays active for 2 years and cannot be updated.
Active for 2 yearsInvitation rounds happen monthly and invitations are limited. If you are invited, Home Affairs emails you a unique reference.
Monthly roundsLodge the visa application within 60 days, which cannot be extended. Provide your record of achievement, Form 1000, health and character evidence and an Australian values statement.
60 daysHome Affairs processes the visa under Ministerial Direction 120. On grant you hold permanent residence, can work and study, enrol in Medicare, sponsor relatives and travel for 5 years, after which a Resident Return visa is needed.
VariesVisa application charges from the Home Affairs price list updated on 1 July 2026.
Visa application charge. The pages we read list no separate EOI fee
AUD 3,120 for each additional applicant aged 18 or over and AUD 1,560 for each applicant under 18
Applies to an applicant aged 18 or over who lacks functional English, and is asked for only if the visa is to be granted
Global Talent, Distinguished Talent and the BIIP are closed to new applicants.
What Home Affairs says about the earlier talent and business visas
Distinguished Talent closed in November 2020 and Global Talent in December 2024. Home Affairs says existing applicants are not adversely affected
The BIIP closed on 31 July 2024. Applications made earlier are still processed, and withdrawn applications may qualify for a refund. The 132 closed on 1 July 2021
Talent and Innovation: 5,300 places in 2024-25, 5,300 in 2025-26 and 3,500 in 2026-27, which includes 20 for the BIIP
Find answers to the most common questions about this visa.
The National Innovation visa (subclass 858) is a permanent visa for people with an exceptional and outstanding record of achievement. It is by invitation only. It replaces the Global Talent visa, which closed in December 2024.
You must show evidence that your achievements place you among the best in your area of expertise, with recent prominence, and have a nominator with a national reputation in the same area. Applicants under 18 or aged 55 and over must also show exceptional benefit to Australia.
You submit an expression of interest, which stays active for 2 years. If Home Affairs invites you, an email with a unique reference arrives, and you have 60 days to lodge the visa application. The 60 days cannot be extended.
Priority 1 (global experts) and Priority 2 (agency nominees) can be from any sector. Priority 3 covers Critical technologies, Renewables and low emission technologies, and Health industries. Priority 4 covers Agri-food and AgTech, Defence and Space, Education, FinTech, Infrastructure and Transport, and Resources.
For July to September 2026 Home Affairs reports 1,969 EOIs and 292 invitations: 216 at Priority 3, 45 at Priority 4, fewer than 35 at Priority 2 and fewer than 5 at Priority 1. The 2026-27 Talent and Innovation planning level is 3,500 places.
The pages we read list earnings at or above the Fair Work High Income Threshold in your area of achievement as one example of evidence, not as a separate minimum. We did not verify the threshold amount.
The visa application charge is AUD 6,235 for the main applicant, AUD 3,120 for each additional applicant aged 18 or over and AUD 1,560 for each under 18. A second instalment of AUD 4,890 applies to an applicant aged 18 or over who lacks functional English.
Yes. You list your partner and dependent children in the application, and you give a reason if you do not include them. Each additional applicant pays a visa application charge.
Home Affairs says the BIIP, including the 188, closed on 31 July 2024, and applications made before then are still processed. Global Talent closed in December 2024. The 858 is the talent route that remains.
Possibly, if their achievements meet the standard and they have a nominator. Home Affairs lists a track record of supporting successful innovative ventures among examples of evidence, but there is no separate business stream. See our comparison of options after the Start-up Visa and our business visas page.
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